Every now and then, I’ll turn on the radio and hear a truly inspirational song. One whose lyrics touch my very soul and whose melody inspires me to reflect on someone or something in my life. Yet hardly am I ever confused about the genre of the song. Usually, it fits neatly into its bucket of R&B, Pop, Rock, or Gospel. But then there are those times when the lines are blurred.
I recently participated in a lively discussion at the beauty shop about a particular song that was playing. My hairdresser had the radio set to a popular Urban station. You know, the kind that is likely to have Keyshia Cole, Jamie Foxx, and Mary J. Blige in its rotation. The station began to play a song by an artist who is greatly known and respected in the Gospel community. One of the ladies yelled out, “That’s my song! Girl, I love Gospel music!” Well, that set off a pretty hot conversation about whether or not the song itself was a gospel song.
Using the “if it walks like a duck, and it talks like a duck, it must be a duck” logic, some believed that since the song was recorded by a Gospel artist and produced by a Gospel label, it must be a Gospel song. Using the “if you put kittens in the oven, that doesn’t make them biscuits” logic, others believed that if the intent of the song was anything other than to bring the Good News (aka, “the Gospel”) or worship God, it could not truly be considered a Gospel song.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, this is an argument that has raged in the church for years. Remember the controversy that Gospel singer Pastor Al Green stirred up when he reverted to recording secular songs? And it’s not just an issue in the Black church either—today’s Christian Contemporary and Christian Rock artists often find their music is not so easily embraced by predominately white congregations.
Is it the beat or the tempo that dictates the “holiness” of the song? Is it the lyrics only? How do we define what is truly Gospel, and what is simply “inspirational”? Leave a comment and come back next week for Part II!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Are You a Yes Man (or Woman)?
Recently I watched a comedy called, Yes Man. Although this was not a Christian film in nature, it touched upon a very important spiritual principle. Without revealing any spoilers, the moral of the story was that in order to be blessed, you have to say “YES.”
Many of us couldn’t imagine going through life saying “yes” to any and every thing that comes our way. “Do you have twenty dollars to spare?” “Would you watch my kids for me on Friday night?” “Can I borrow your car?” Are we willing to say, “yes, yes, and yes”?
In fact, we are called to say “yes” at all times. Not to the demands of man, but to the will of God. Unfortunately, many of us are resistant to saying “yes” even to God our Father—even though the will of God is so simply laid before us. In Matthew 22:37–40, Jesus said, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” But have we said, “yes” to any and all of these commandments? In many instances, the answer is, “no.”
God expects us to say yes at all times. It is only when we submit completely that we can discover His perfect will for our lives.
Are you willing to always give God your best and say “yes”?
Many of us couldn’t imagine going through life saying “yes” to any and every thing that comes our way. “Do you have twenty dollars to spare?” “Would you watch my kids for me on Friday night?” “Can I borrow your car?” Are we willing to say, “yes, yes, and yes”?
In fact, we are called to say “yes” at all times. Not to the demands of man, but to the will of God. Unfortunately, many of us are resistant to saying “yes” even to God our Father—even though the will of God is so simply laid before us. In Matthew 22:37–40, Jesus said, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” But have we said, “yes” to any and all of these commandments? In many instances, the answer is, “no.”
God expects us to say yes at all times. It is only when we submit completely that we can discover His perfect will for our lives.
Are you willing to always give God your best and say “yes”?
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Tell the Truth and Shame the Devil
Many of us are familiar with the phrase from John 8:32, which reads, “…and the truth will set you free.” But so many of us find it hard to live by that simple tenet. I’ve found, however, that there is tremendous power in the truth. We just have to have enough faith to stand by it.
Children often lie, believing an untruth will spare a spanking. As adults, many times we lie to avert trouble or avoid negative consequences. We seem to believe the truth makes us vulnerable. But don’t we know that Satan, the devil, is the master of deception? It was Satan who showed up in the form of a serpent in Genesis 3. He used deceptive language and half-truths to lure Eve into eating the forbidden fruit. The result of which was spiritual death and a severed relationship with God.
In John 8:44, the devil is called the father of lies. So in essence, lying is the polar opposite of our heavenly Father’s will for us. Each time we lie, we give Satan greater power over our situation and over our lives. It is when we lie that we actually become vulnerable.
The very essence of Jesus is the truth. In John 14:6, He says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” As followers of Christ, it is the truth that should be in us. And we must stand on faith, knowing that with the truth, we wield the power of God over any situation.
Who wants to be trapped in a web of lies? I’m enjoying the freedom that comes with the truth!
Children often lie, believing an untruth will spare a spanking. As adults, many times we lie to avert trouble or avoid negative consequences. We seem to believe the truth makes us vulnerable. But don’t we know that Satan, the devil, is the master of deception? It was Satan who showed up in the form of a serpent in Genesis 3. He used deceptive language and half-truths to lure Eve into eating the forbidden fruit. The result of which was spiritual death and a severed relationship with God.
In John 8:44, the devil is called the father of lies. So in essence, lying is the polar opposite of our heavenly Father’s will for us. Each time we lie, we give Satan greater power over our situation and over our lives. It is when we lie that we actually become vulnerable.
The very essence of Jesus is the truth. In John 14:6, He says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” As followers of Christ, it is the truth that should be in us. And we must stand on faith, knowing that with the truth, we wield the power of God over any situation.
Who wants to be trapped in a web of lies? I’m enjoying the freedom that comes with the truth!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Out of the Comfort Zone
Ahh, the comfort zone. Where everything is as we expect it to be. It’s any physical or spiritual place where we are most content. It’s where many Christians say, “All is well with my soul.” But what happens when it’s time to come out of your comfort zone?
Moses and the Israelites are great examples of what happens when God calls us out of the comfort zone. In Exodus 3, we find that Moses—after fleeing Egypt—was doing quite well for himself in Midian. He had a lovely wife and worked hard to provide for his family. Moses was in his comfort zone. Until the day the Lord appeared to him in a burning bush and gave him a mission. Moses, understanding the great charge he was given, immediately began making excuses. But the Lord provided Moses with everything he needed.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, God can call you out of your comfort zone at any time and for any reason. He may call you out to lead or help others. He may call you out for personal and spiritual growth. And be assured, that when He calls, he will equip you with all that you need.
Later, when Moses rescued the Israelites from Egypt, they found themselves in the desert—led by the presence of God Himself. Yet even still, the Israelites cried out, “We want to go back to Egypt!” (Numbers 14:1–4) Although they had suffered in slavery, they thought of Egypt as their comfort zone. Before we snicker at how ridiculous that sounds, let’s remember that in this day and age, we suffer from the same short-sightedness. We may remain at a job that pays too little and offers no growth because we would have to step outside our comfort zone to find another one. We may live in a condition that we know could improve, but it would take us too far out of our comfort zone to do something about it. If you’re not careful, your comfort zone can become your house of bondage.
When God calls us out of the comfort zone, it’s simply time to go. Depend on Him for guidance and direction, and He will see you through.
I’m trusting in the Lord to see me out of my comfort zone.
Moses and the Israelites are great examples of what happens when God calls us out of the comfort zone. In Exodus 3, we find that Moses—after fleeing Egypt—was doing quite well for himself in Midian. He had a lovely wife and worked hard to provide for his family. Moses was in his comfort zone. Until the day the Lord appeared to him in a burning bush and gave him a mission. Moses, understanding the great charge he was given, immediately began making excuses. But the Lord provided Moses with everything he needed.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, God can call you out of your comfort zone at any time and for any reason. He may call you out to lead or help others. He may call you out for personal and spiritual growth. And be assured, that when He calls, he will equip you with all that you need.
Later, when Moses rescued the Israelites from Egypt, they found themselves in the desert—led by the presence of God Himself. Yet even still, the Israelites cried out, “We want to go back to Egypt!” (Numbers 14:1–4) Although they had suffered in slavery, they thought of Egypt as their comfort zone. Before we snicker at how ridiculous that sounds, let’s remember that in this day and age, we suffer from the same short-sightedness. We may remain at a job that pays too little and offers no growth because we would have to step outside our comfort zone to find another one. We may live in a condition that we know could improve, but it would take us too far out of our comfort zone to do something about it. If you’re not careful, your comfort zone can become your house of bondage.
When God calls us out of the comfort zone, it’s simply time to go. Depend on Him for guidance and direction, and He will see you through.
I’m trusting in the Lord to see me out of my comfort zone.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Knowing When to Say When
It’s important to know when to take a break. Whether it’s from a specific activity or from your entire daily routine, a little deviation every now and again might be helpful. In other words, knowing when to say when can take you a long way.
The most common example is found in social drinking. A wise social drinker knows when to cut off the alcohol. This person knows that any further indulgence will lead to intoxication. So, when offered yet another drink, he or she will say, “No thanks, I’ve had enough.” If we only knew when to apply this in other areas of our lives!
We tend to get burnt out, overtired, and generally worn out because we often don’t know when to say when. We become so caught up in our own lives, that we lose perspective. And we find ourselves making rationalizations: But the chores have to be done! But everyone is counting on me! But in these hard economic times, I can’t afford to slow down! And these are all valid arguments. But in the end, do they serve the greater good?
Even Jesus, who is God in human form, understood the importance of knowing when to say when. His ministry included days filled with crowds of people swarming him with their problems, their challenges, and their desire to be healed. The Bible recounts in Luke 5:16, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Jesus demonstrated the importance of knowing when to say when.
We should apply that principle in our own lives, without fear of guilt or repercussion. Knowing when to say when gives us the power to return to our activity or routine at another time. While in the meantime, we renew, refresh, and recharge.
Do you know when it’s time to say when? Be sure to ask God for guidance in taking a break from your activity or routine. And when you return, be sure to give your testimony to encourage others.
The most common example is found in social drinking. A wise social drinker knows when to cut off the alcohol. This person knows that any further indulgence will lead to intoxication. So, when offered yet another drink, he or she will say, “No thanks, I’ve had enough.” If we only knew when to apply this in other areas of our lives!
We tend to get burnt out, overtired, and generally worn out because we often don’t know when to say when. We become so caught up in our own lives, that we lose perspective. And we find ourselves making rationalizations: But the chores have to be done! But everyone is counting on me! But in these hard economic times, I can’t afford to slow down! And these are all valid arguments. But in the end, do they serve the greater good?
Even Jesus, who is God in human form, understood the importance of knowing when to say when. His ministry included days filled with crowds of people swarming him with their problems, their challenges, and their desire to be healed. The Bible recounts in Luke 5:16, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Jesus demonstrated the importance of knowing when to say when.
We should apply that principle in our own lives, without fear of guilt or repercussion. Knowing when to say when gives us the power to return to our activity or routine at another time. While in the meantime, we renew, refresh, and recharge.
Do you know when it’s time to say when? Be sure to ask God for guidance in taking a break from your activity or routine. And when you return, be sure to give your testimony to encourage others.
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